Scientists uncover 15 genes responsible for shaping our face

By
Siddharth ChauhanFeb. 20, 2018, 5:45 p.m.

Scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough by determining the 15 genes behind our facial features

Our face is made up of muscles, cartilage and bones but it is our DNA that determines the way we look. Scientists from Pittsburgh, Stanford and Penn State universities along with KU Leuven, Belgium have achieved a significant breakthrough by determining the 15 genes behind our facial features.

The study published on 19 February in Nature Genetics reveals 15 genes that are responsible for a person’s facial characteristics.

“In the past, scientists selected specific features, including the distance between the eyes or the width of the mouth. They would then look for a connection between this feature and many genes. This has already led to the identification of a number of genes but, of course, the results are limited because only a small set of features are selected and tested,” says Seth Weinberg, Associate professor of Oral Biology, University of Pittsburgh.

This discovery is just the tip of the iceberg of what all can be achieved by putting it to use. In medical applications, doctors can use DNA to map an original face for reconstruction and guessing the shape of a face through these genes may help forensic examiner crack a criminal case.

The researchers started with dividing the 3D images of faces into smaller parts and cross-referenced it with the DNA of the person in the image. Upon closer examinations, they were able to find out locations in the DNA that match some of the parts of a particular face. This technique helped researchers check many facial features against the DNA. They concluded 15 different locations in the DNA that link up with the facial construct.

They also found that the locus of these identified genes are linked even before we are born.

“Furthermore, we also discovered that different genetic variants identified in the study are associated with regions of the genome that influence when, where and how much genes are expressed,” said Joanna Wysocka, Professor of Chemical and Systems Biology and of Developmental Biology, Stanford University.

It’s interesting to note here that out of the 15 identified genes that make up a face, seven are linked to the nose. The nose happens to be the most unpredictable feature of a face and now with this discovery, it would be much easier to determine the shape of a nose.

The researchers plan to increase the sample size and continue finding more about the genes.

“We won't be able to predict a correct and complete face on the basis of DNA tomorrow. We're not even close to knowing all the genes that give shape to our face. Furthermore, our age, environment, and lifestyle have an impact on what our face looks like as well,” believes Mark Shriver, Professor of Anthropology at Penn State.